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New Zealand Men's U-20s

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11 months ago · edited 11 months ago · History

imanixsupporter

Let's be real, while this team was an improvement on Baze's lot of 2 years ago, they were nowhere near Des' side's level and were not going to be doing anything special in the knockouts anyway. Glad the Nix boys can head home early and get back into preseason.

Some truth in that. Hard to see this team doing much in a R16 game against a pool winner.

All the Nix youngsters will now get back to NZ in time for a few days rest, then travel with the squad to play CCM in the final warmup Oct 12th.

Noting looks like Mileusnic, Retre, Piper and maybe even Payne (long haul back from Oslo) will miss the first ALM game in Perth. Nice to see Walker play all 3 games at this tourney and look fit.

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11 months ago · edited 11 months ago · History

HattyCW

imanixsupporter

Going to be pretty damn tough to top or reach levels similar to Des’s side in the U20WCs to come, that squad was exceptional.

Auckland FC fine tuning their Academy and Reserves team should hopefully speed up the development of promising players in the upper North Island. As will them having their Ressies in the new OFC Pro League.

Hopefully Christchurch United also promote youth in their new OFC pro squad.

As always the more young players in pro environments the deeper the talent pool to select from.

Declan's Wests/Eastern Suburbs squad in 2018/19 were basically in a semi pro football environment (the team relocated from Ole to Auckland for the Handy Prem summer). Training daily over the summer?? And a big chunk of that squad were in Des's U20 WC group.

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11 months ago

I think this is a pretty decent u20 side compared to Des, who often gets rose tinted glasses.

In goal, Grey = to Woud at the same time. LKH more first team pro minutes. Loke comparatively as good as Wilkinson etc in the back. In the midfield, Stipe looks decent. Kelly looks as good up top off limited chances.

McKinley more pro minutes than Bell at the same age. LBS and GSR more pro minutes than Just or McCowatt at same age etc.

Did the u20 under Des have an easier draw??

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11 months ago

MetalLegNZ

The pro minutes coming in one of the worst Nix teams of the past two decades, because of an injury crisis doesn’t indicate a high quality player necessarily.

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11 months ago

Damn, just saw the result and news.

Pretty proud of the group of players in general though. We were the equal of Chile but came away with nothing, got a result against a pretty solid Egyptian side, and came up against a classy Japanese outfit and copped it. Some silly mistakes cost us, but all we can hope is that the players grow from this. We did play far better than our position in the group suggests anyway...

Looks like we were living in the group of death after all.

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11 months ago

Just looked at the tiebreaker again, and had we not conceded the third goal, we would have ultimately been eliminated on the fair play tiebreaker. 🫠

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11 months ago

So dissapointed for the boys and management. I really enjoyed the football they played and the bravery they showed. I don't see any merit in comparing this team to others. Today they played an excellent Japanese side but competed in ever facet of the game in particular possession and passes completed, except obviously on the scoreboard. As others have said they were good enough to beat Egypt and very unlucky to lose to Chile so would be gutted to have missed out on finals football. Well done boys. I look forward to seeing you progress in you pro career.

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11 months ago

They brought out the NZ flag for Australia today HAHAHA

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11 months ago · edited 11 months ago · History

Australia beat Cuba 3-1.

That win takes them to 3 points. I'm guessing they will still need other results to go their way to make the R16.

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11 months ago · edited 11 months ago · History

Australia almost certainly need Nigeria to lose 2-0 or by any 3 goal margin to make the 16 (a 3-1 loss might send it to fair play or a coin toss or something).

Alternatively, a New Caledonia win vs France would see them through, or South Africa losing by a 7 goal margin to the USA would also do the trick, but these seem rather less likely.

coochiee

Australia beat Cuba 3-1.

That win takes them to 3 points. I'm guessing they will still need other results to go their way to make the R16.

Edit: even if Egypt hadn't got that last minute winner, the Spain and Australia wins today would have effectively knocked us out. We would still technically be alive but we would have needed at least a 3-0 Nigeria loss AND either a France loss to New Caledonia OR South Africa to lose by 8 against the USA. Was a mercy for Egypt to knock us out the way they did really.

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11 months ago

New Caledonia finish their tourney with a 6-0 loss to the French.

The Australians will be watching the Nigeria verus Colombia match just about to kick off.

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11 months ago · edited 11 months ago · History

87 mins and Nigeria have equalised against Colombia. 1-1.

That basically means like us, Australia will be going home. Unless the Colombians can find 2 goals before the match finishes. Egypt will miss out as well.

Edit - finishes 1-1. WC is over for the Young Socceroos.

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11 months ago

USA 1 - South Africa 2

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11 months ago

I'll be supporting Ukraine

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11 months ago · edited 11 months ago · History

We finished ahead of Brazil in the 17-24th placed teams - Or as they are affectionately referred to as the team's that are already on the plane back home.

Australia 17, Egypt 18th, New Zealand 19th, Panama 20th, Brazil 21st, Saudi Arabia, 22nd, Cuba 23rd, New Caledonia 24th.

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11 months ago

Round of 16

Colombia beat South Africa 3-1
Argentina thumped Nigeria 4-0
Chile downed by Mexico 1-4. So logic is we would have been similarily easily beaten
Spain 1-0 winners over Ukraine

Japan currently playing France
Norway verus Paraguay

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11 months ago

Looks like Japan v France and Norway v Paraguay will go to extra time. I really wish these games weren't at the exact same time.

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11 months ago · edited 11 months ago · History

Norway are through with a goal at 116mins and France won via a penalty at 120 + 3.

Was hoping Japan would go through since they beat us so well but alas there are no survivors from Group A.

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11 months ago

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11 months ago · edited 11 months ago · History

Quarter finals
France 2 Norway 1
Morocco 3 USA 1
Argentina 2 Mexico (player sent off) 0
Colombia 3 Spain 2

Semis
Morocco verus France
Argentina verus Colombia - the Chilean locals will be getting behind the Colombians

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11 months ago

coochiee

“The enemy of my enemy”?

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11 months ago

Morocco have just beaten Argentina 2 nil. Columbia won the 3rd place play off 1 nil.

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11 months ago

I must say, Colombia played some great football.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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10 months ago

I hope these National Team coaches are being held accountable. U20 men (average), U17 women (extremely poor) U17s men ( 3 nil vs Mali)!

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10 months ago

It's really tough to be a junior coach. How often are they meeting up to play friendlies, are the players affiliated to a pro organisation and getting proper coaching, are coaches given a budget to monitor, visit and assess prospects year round.

Most football associations just don't have the necessary funds for a full time Junior coach. Coaches focus at this age is to identify a pipeline, use the tournament to give those players experiences and hope that it propels them to great things.

Nobody gives the coaches/association credit when a player goes from the U17, to U20, Olympic U23 and then the All Whites. So few players do it (get your flowers) but what about the coaches who identified this player?

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5 months ago

José Figueira to be appointed the new head coach?
He was Greenacre's assistant.

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4 months ago

And on cue.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/05/02/jose-figueira-named-new-head-coach-of-national-u-20s-mens-team/

Figuera was previously an assistant coach with the U-20s and has previously led the national U-17 men’s side at the 2019 FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup.

“From my time with the team as assistant coach, I’ve seen the level of talent we have coming through, so I’m really looking forward to getting back on the grass as we look to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027 in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan,” he said.

Figueira will begin in the role immediately ahead of the side taking part in the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship, the qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup.

New Zealand have drawn to play Tahiti, Fiji, and Vanuatu at the tournament, set to be played in Apia, Samoa, in September 2026.

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23 days ago

Squad announced... 3 unattached players in amongst a very heavy NZ and Auusie squad.

Feel like this is a trial team for the real thing almost.

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22 days ago

MetalLegNZ wrote:
Squad announced... 3 unattached players in amongst a very heavy NZ and Auusie squad.

Feel like this is a trial team for the real thing almost.
1000097206.jpg 719.39 KB

You'll be happy with Ricky's inclusion! Good on him too.

Haven't seen much of him aside from the odd bit of NPL stuff, but it's good to see more guys come through and building up depth for the national team setup.

Mad to think we could've also called upon the likes of Luke Brooke-Smith, Stipe Ukich, Jack Perniskie and Noah DuPont for this squad as well. Given some recent moves and with all of them trying to establish themselves in clubland over in Europe and the UK, they don't need to come back and test themselves in Samoa...

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22 days ago · edited 22 days ago · History

9 AFC (Ferguson makes it 10) & only 3 Nix.

Not sure if that means much, when clearly next year's U20 WC team (if NZ qualify) will likely be quite different.

But with Auckland's model a promising local kid like George Green would probably already be on their books not at another club in their "catchment" area.

https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2090651465044132297

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22 days ago

coochiee wrote:
9 AFC (Ferguson makes it 10) & only 3 Nix.
Not sure if that means much, when clearly next year's U20 WC team (if NZ qualify) will likely be quite different.
But with Auckland's model a promising local kid like George Green would probably already be on their books not at another club in their "catchment" area.
https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2090651465044132297https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2090651465044132297

Going off what I've been told the provisional squad of about 35 was much more even - 13 from Auckland, 12 from Wellington, and the remaining 10 from other clubs in New Zealand, Australia and Europe/UK.

Swings and roundabouts at these levels for who has the greater club representation.

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22 days ago

YoungHeartHM wrote:
coochiee wrote:
9 AFC (Ferguson makes it 10) & only 3 Nix.
Not sure if that means much, when clearly next year's U20 WC team (if NZ qualify) will likely be quite different.
But with Auckland's model a promising local kid like George Green would probably already be on their books not at another club in their "catchment" area.
https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2090651465044132297https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2090651465044132297

Going off what I've been told the provisional squad of about 35 was much more even - 13 from Auckland, 12 from Wellington, and the remaining 10 from other clubs in New Zealand, Australia and Europe/UK.

Swings and roundabouts at these levels for who has the greater club representation.

The u16 have 9 'Nix (5 at the school at nzcis) for instance

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22 days ago

Bullion wrote:
YoungHeartHM wrote:
coochiee wrote:
9 AFC (Ferguson makes it 10) & only 3 Nix.
Not sure if that means much, when clearly next year's U20 WC team (if NZ qualify) will likely be quite different.
But with Auckland's model a promising local kid like George Green would probably already be on their books not at another club in their "catchment" area.
https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2090651465044132297https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2090651465044132297

Going off what I've been told the provisional squad of about 35 was much more even - 13 from Auckland, 12 from Wellington, and the remaining 10 from other clubs in New Zealand, Australia and Europe/UK.

Swings and roundabouts at these levels for who has the greater club representation.
The u16 have 9 'Nix (5 at the school at nzcis) for instance

Yep, and I've said this before on here as well. With the way both clubs are set up the Phoenix will probably dominate U16/17 level callups given we go all the way down to U13/14's on intake, but this will level out as guys (and gals) get older and have more adult decisions to make on where they seeing their footballing careers going, as well as throwing in the likes of university, work, and family commitments.

The school is a very nice addition to the way we develop our talent and show off our pathways too.

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17 days ago

Warm up game against Birkenhead starting in 10 before they head to Samoa on Saturday.

Nice little club.

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17 days ago

NZ Keeper is huge... has not won anything in the air thought. Mistimed every jump. The LB looks a player and an athlete.

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17 days ago

4 - 2 loss. Both NZ goals grom soft pens.

NZ had no midfield. And when they did get the ball their touch or pass was almost always heavy.

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16 days ago

MetalLegNZ wrote:
4 - 2 loss. Both NZ goals grom soft pens.

NZ had no midfield. And when they did get the ball their touch or pass was almost always heavy.

George Green apart it's a very young and lightweight midfield. Technically good but not a lot of ball winning muscle.

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16 days ago

The LB is from Belgium... looked good. The RB is from Sunderland, got rinsed all night. Looked bang average.

Both Fransen and Smith at fault for a goal... but not helped by lack of midfield.

GSR looked ok on the left, striker made good runs, but not outside that. The substitute keeper looked ok.

I didnt realise the first half goalkeeper was McCarron from the NIX. Absolute giant of a young man... and dreadful as a player. Watched him warmup... heavy touch, poor passer and routinely dove over the ball. I was like fuck it, hes huge he'll dominate the box. Was piss poor and at fault for two goals. Flapped at a corner calling for it, only to take out two of his defenders as the ball sailed over his head, and gave away an easy pass that led to the opposition third goal. Did nothing but cause angst in the backline and give away possession when he went long.

Has he a recent growth spurt he hasn't grown into yet so is more gangly than normal?

Honestly, atrocious!

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16 days ago

MetalLegNZ wrote:
The LB is from Belgium... looked good. The RB is from Sunderland, got rinsed all night. Looked bang average.

Both Fransen and Smith at fault for a goal... but not helped by lack of midfield.

GSR looked ok on the left, striker made good runs, but not outside that. The substitute keeper looked ok.

I didnt realise the first half goalkeeper was McCarron from the NIX. Absolute giant of a young man... and dreadful as a player. Watched him warmup... heavy touch, poor passer and routinely dove over the ball. I was like fuck it, hes huge he'll dominate the box. Was piss poor and at fault for two goals. Flapped at a corner calling for it, only to take out two of his defenders as the ball sailed over his head, and gave away an easy pass that led to the opposition third goal. Did nothing but cause angst in the backline and give away possession when he went long.

Has he a recent growth spurt he hasn't grown into yet so is more gangly than normal?

Honestly, atrocious!

I'm a bit wary of writing off young players due to an off game. Thought McCarron did reasonable well in few A league performances last season ..an especially given his lack of experience at that level.

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16 days ago

Bradman99 wrote:
MetalLegNZ wrote:
The LB is from Belgium... looked good. The RB is from Sunderland, got rinsed all night. Looked bang average.

Both Fransen and Smith at fault for a goal... but not helped by lack of midfield.

GSR looked ok on the left, striker made good runs, but not outside that. The substitute keeper looked ok.

I didnt realise the first half goalkeeper was McCarron from the NIX. Absolute giant of a young man... and dreadful as a player. Watched him warmup... heavy touch, poor passer and routinely dove over the ball. I was like fuck it, hes huge he'll dominate the box. Was piss poor and at fault for two goals. Flapped at a corner calling for it, only to take out two of his defenders as the ball sailed over his head, and gave away an easy pass that led to the opposition third goal. Did nothing but cause angst in the backline and give away possession when he went long.

Has he a recent growth spurt he hasn't grown into yet so is more gangly than normal?

Honestly, atrocious!
I'm a bit wary of writing off young players due to an off game. Thought McCarron did reasonable well in few A league performances last season ..an especially given his lack of experience at that level.

Thats why I was so surprised... I thought looked ok for the NIX!

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